Mark Hammond
Mark Hammond's passion for mountain athletics began when he was 14 and his brother introduced him to rock climbing. At age 18 he started backcountry skiing and discovered his knack for cardio endurance sports. His passion for exploration has driven him to claim numerous first ski descents around Utah.
Although he did some occasional running throughout his youth, he didn't become serious about it until his late twenties. His running career really began one day in 2013 when he took a walk around his office parking lot during his lunch break. That walk turned into a jog and then into daily lunchtime runs. About a year later he entered his first ultramarathon, the Speedgoat 50k, and was immediately hooked. Since then he has consistently improved and finished on the podium many times. He is particularly fond of the 100 mile distance.
Accomplishments
3rd place at Western States 100 in 2017 and 2018
Ranked 5th best ultrarunner in America in 2017 by Ultrarunning magazine
8 other podium finishesFirst known person to ski off all 29 county highpoints in Utah
First known person to climb and ski Gannett Peak (Wyoming's highest peak) in one day
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